W32.HLLW.Merkur.E@mm

W32.HLLW.Merkur.E@mm is a mass-mailing worm that uses Microsoft Outlook to send itself to all the contacts in the Outlook Address Book. It also attempts to spread through the KaZaA, KaZaA Lite, Bearshare, and eDonkey file-sharing networks, as well as through mIRC.

The email message has the following characteristics:

Subject: (one of the following)
Free Virus Remover.
Windows Update (Build: win1.19001281)
Email Virus Remover.

Message:
Install/Update: Please run the attatchment to Install/Update your software, The program will scan for any Infected Files then continue to install/update. Regards, Bill Hanes - Nakitomi Corp.

Attachment: AVUpdate.exe

This worm is written in the Microsoft Visual Basic programming language and is compressed with UPX.

Protection

• Initial Rapid Release version June 28, 2003
• Latest Rapid Release version July 19, 2008 revision 019
• Initial Daily Certified version June 28, 2003
• Latest Daily Certified version January 20, 2009 revision 048
• Initial Weekly Certified release date June 28, 2003

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Easy

Damage

• Damage Level: Low

Distribution

• Distribution Level: High